Housing/Heating/Insulation
Dec 5th 2005, 7:32 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Britannia near Bacup in Lancashire
Posts: 24
Housing/Heating/Insulation
I've posted a similar querry before but didn't get any response, so heres hoping for at least one reply.
I've seen a lot of postings about the housing quality and the fact that they are not insulated and that they are expensive to heat. I know they are built diferent than in the UK and rest of Europe, in that they are generally not built of brick or stone with slate/tile roofs.
It seems that people don't insulate the same as we do, ie with cavity wall, loft and double glazing. Is there a reason for this? I've looked at some NZ builders merchants and they do sell insulation, so i know it is available.
The question is why don't people insulate? I know i will be when we get down there.
I've seen a lot of postings about the housing quality and the fact that they are not insulated and that they are expensive to heat. I know they are built diferent than in the UK and rest of Europe, in that they are generally not built of brick or stone with slate/tile roofs.
It seems that people don't insulate the same as we do, ie with cavity wall, loft and double glazing. Is there a reason for this? I've looked at some NZ builders merchants and they do sell insulation, so i know it is available.
The question is why don't people insulate? I know i will be when we get down there.
Dec 5th 2005, 7:36 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Housing/Heating/Insulation
Originally Posted by GINGERSEAMONSTER
I've posted a similar querry before but didn't get any response, so heres hoping for at least one reply.
I've seen a lot of postings about the housing quality and the fact that they are not insulated and that they are expensive to heat. I know they are built diferent than in the UK and rest of Europe, in that they are generally not built of brick or stone with slate/tile roofs.
It seems that people don't insulate the same as we do, ie with cavity wall, loft and double glazing. Is there a reason for this? I've looked at some NZ builders merchants and they do sell insulation, so i know it is available.
The question is why don't people insulate? I know i will be when we get down there.
I've seen a lot of postings about the housing quality and the fact that they are not insulated and that they are expensive to heat. I know they are built diferent than in the UK and rest of Europe, in that they are generally not built of brick or stone with slate/tile roofs.
It seems that people don't insulate the same as we do, ie with cavity wall, loft and double glazing. Is there a reason for this? I've looked at some NZ builders merchants and they do sell insulation, so i know it is available.
The question is why don't people insulate? I know i will be when we get down there.
Last edited by turkeytickler; Dec 5th 2005 at 7:41 pm.
Dec 5th 2005, 7:43 pm
#3
Banned
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 61
Re: Housing/Heating/Insulation
I haven't got a clue why people dont insulate & they dont, there's adverts on tv here all the time for insulation & stuff, cant remember seeing them at home.
They definitely do not insulate like we do in europe, i wish i knew why, money i think (kiwis are tight), a lot of the housing stock is old & whilst built quite sturdily, is not insulated & you can see the breath in front of your face in the winter in your house, then if you've got the place well heated, the walls start getting condensation on them. Theres no central heating either, so we got an oil radiator & put it on a timer plug, simple solution, but not the same as that toasty feeling you get at home & power can be expensive too.
My opinion is to inuslate as best you can (but not cheap), get a de-humidifier, you won't believe the moisture in some houses, & get timed wall heaters, or those timer plugs for electric heaters or something.
Do not let anyone tell you that insulation is standard over here, it isn't, nowhere near. Summer is ok, but winter can be tough, we said we didnt care about the power bills & had it on all the time, the other alternative is a wood burner, but i used to live in Chch on a hill & theres a yellow haze above the city in the morning after a cold night & there banning those,
there are ways around it, but its still not the same, be VERY careful when renting or buying, get some heaters & buy a dehumidifier
They definitely do not insulate like we do in europe, i wish i knew why, money i think (kiwis are tight), a lot of the housing stock is old & whilst built quite sturdily, is not insulated & you can see the breath in front of your face in the winter in your house, then if you've got the place well heated, the walls start getting condensation on them. Theres no central heating either, so we got an oil radiator & put it on a timer plug, simple solution, but not the same as that toasty feeling you get at home & power can be expensive too.
My opinion is to inuslate as best you can (but not cheap), get a de-humidifier, you won't believe the moisture in some houses, & get timed wall heaters, or those timer plugs for electric heaters or something.
Do not let anyone tell you that insulation is standard over here, it isn't, nowhere near. Summer is ok, but winter can be tough, we said we didnt care about the power bills & had it on all the time, the other alternative is a wood burner, but i used to live in Chch on a hill & theres a yellow haze above the city in the morning after a cold night & there banning those,
there are ways around it, but its still not the same, be VERY careful when renting or buying, get some heaters & buy a dehumidifier
Originally Posted by GINGERSEAMONSTER
I've posted a similar querry before but didn't get any response, so heres hoping for at least one reply.
I've seen a lot of postings about the housing quality and the fact that they are not insulated and that they are expensive to heat. I know they are built diferent than in the UK and rest of Europe, in that they are generally not built of brick or stone with slate/tile roofs.
It seems that people don't insulate the same as we do, ie with cavity wall, loft and double glazing. Is there a reason for this? I've looked at some NZ builders merchants and they do sell insulation, so i know it is available.
The question is why don't people insulate? I know i will be when we get down there.
I've seen a lot of postings about the housing quality and the fact that they are not insulated and that they are expensive to heat. I know they are built diferent than in the UK and rest of Europe, in that they are generally not built of brick or stone with slate/tile roofs.
It seems that people don't insulate the same as we do, ie with cavity wall, loft and double glazing. Is there a reason for this? I've looked at some NZ builders merchants and they do sell insulation, so i know it is available.
The question is why don't people insulate? I know i will be when we get down there.
Dec 5th 2005, 9:49 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Housing/Heating/Insulation
Well i don't know really.
We really only started doing it in the UK after the oil crisis in the 70s.
Fuel in NZ has been relatively cheap until quite recently and insulation comparatively expensive so I guess it has never been cost effective to do it. Also in the UK we have/had a system of grants which I do not think are available here.
Many houses are wooden and to insulate the walls means ripping of the weatherboard or gib lining, installing a moisture barrier and insulation then refitting the enclosure. A costly job. Plus many older houses are up on pilings and have suspended floors which can be draughty, if access is possible then underfloor insulation can be installed.
New houses have to comply with minimum insulation standards now.
Also a lot of people live in rented accommodation which tends not to have much money spent on it and little or no insulation.
We really only started doing it in the UK after the oil crisis in the 70s.
Fuel in NZ has been relatively cheap until quite recently and insulation comparatively expensive so I guess it has never been cost effective to do it. Also in the UK we have/had a system of grants which I do not think are available here.
Many houses are wooden and to insulate the walls means ripping of the weatherboard or gib lining, installing a moisture barrier and insulation then refitting the enclosure. A costly job. Plus many older houses are up on pilings and have suspended floors which can be draughty, if access is possible then underfloor insulation can be installed.
New houses have to comply with minimum insulation standards now.
Also a lot of people live in rented accommodation which tends not to have much money spent on it and little or no insulation.
Dec 5th 2005, 10:51 pm
#5
Isle of Wight Chick
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: Rangiora, New Zealand
Posts: 59
Re: Housing/Heating/Insulation
what pisses me off is the lack of radiators. it cost my family about $600 a month this winter just gone on electricity and that was for a few small heaters in every room of the house cuz it was just too bloody cold. i dont understand the mentality here. the winter morning and nights are so cold that you think they would try and do something about it- like shove central heating into houses!!
Dec 6th 2005, 1:03 am
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2005
Location: Canberra, ACT
Posts: 1,222
Re: Housing/Heating/Insulation
Its coz they aren't paid enough to pay for the installation of CH in their houses nor have enough money to flaming well use it if they had! 
Dec 6th 2005, 2:01 am
#7
Member of Mumo-land
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: DownUnder
Posts: 771
Re: Housing/Heating/Insulation
I was going to say
a) I think they're used to it. They go out to work and they think it woudl be silly to leave the house warmed all day to come home to but that's really because:
b) It costs so very much in electricity and you are billed monthly so unlike blighty there's no let up in bills in NZ! I wasn't working full time last winter and I would have HATED to come home to a cold house. Your home is supposed to be a sanctuary and protection from the elements.
c) You have to take the walls off and stuff it in. We've done it and it made a difference to warm and noise reduction by about 45 percent on the latter.
d) They just haven't grown up with it. Think of the days in Blighty when our grandparents used to have a tin bath in front of a coal fire and you're not far off.
Double glazing: I saw and ad for it on... telly! Got a quote. Our house 9k - average sized 3 bedder but absolutely no point if you don't insulate the floors, ceiling and walls too. Also, 9k was supplied and not fitted!!!!!!!
'Golden Homes' do build their homes with the option of CH and DG and that's the route I will be taking if we move again.
You will realise when you're here what we all mean.
a) I think they're used to it. They go out to work and they think it woudl be silly to leave the house warmed all day to come home to but that's really because:
b) It costs so very much in electricity and you are billed monthly so unlike blighty there's no let up in bills in NZ! I wasn't working full time last winter and I would have HATED to come home to a cold house. Your home is supposed to be a sanctuary and protection from the elements.
c) You have to take the walls off and stuff it in. We've done it and it made a difference to warm and noise reduction by about 45 percent on the latter.
d) They just haven't grown up with it. Think of the days in Blighty when our grandparents used to have a tin bath in front of a coal fire and you're not far off.
Double glazing: I saw and ad for it on... telly! Got a quote. Our house 9k - average sized 3 bedder but absolutely no point if you don't insulate the floors, ceiling and walls too. Also, 9k was supplied and not fitted!!!!!!!
'Golden Homes' do build their homes with the option of CH and DG and that's the route I will be taking if we move again.
You will realise when you're here what we all mean.
Dec 6th 2005, 4:39 am
#8
Account Closed
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 527
Re: Housing/Heating/Insulation
Originally Posted by homesick harry
I haven't got a clue why people dont insulate & they dont, there's adverts on tv here all the time for insulation & stuff, cant remember seeing them at home.
They definitely do not insulate like we do in europe, i wish i knew why, money i think (kiwis are tight), a lot of the housing stock is old & whilst built quite sturdily, is not insulated & you can see the breath in front of your face in the winter in your house, then if you've got the place well heated, the walls start getting condensation on them. Theres no central heating either, so we got an oil radiator & put it on a timer plug, simple solution, but not the same as that toasty feeling you get at home & power can be expensive too.
My opinion is to inuslate as best you can (but not cheap), get a de-humidifier, you won't believe the moisture in some houses, & get timed wall heaters, or those timer plugs for electric heaters or something.
Do not let anyone tell you that insulation is standard over here, it isn't, nowhere near. Summer is ok, but winter can be tough, we said we didnt care about the power bills & had it on all the time, the other alternative is a wood burner, but i used to live in Chch on a hill & theres a yellow haze above the city in the morning after a cold night & there banning those,
there are ways around it, but its still not the same, be VERY careful when renting or buying, get some heaters & buy a dehumidifier
They definitely do not insulate like we do in europe, i wish i knew why, money i think (kiwis are tight), a lot of the housing stock is old & whilst built quite sturdily, is not insulated & you can see the breath in front of your face in the winter in your house, then if you've got the place well heated, the walls start getting condensation on them. Theres no central heating either, so we got an oil radiator & put it on a timer plug, simple solution, but not the same as that toasty feeling you get at home & power can be expensive too.
My opinion is to inuslate as best you can (but not cheap), get a de-humidifier, you won't believe the moisture in some houses, & get timed wall heaters, or those timer plugs for electric heaters or something.
Do not let anyone tell you that insulation is standard over here, it isn't, nowhere near. Summer is ok, but winter can be tough, we said we didnt care about the power bills & had it on all the time, the other alternative is a wood burner, but i used to live in Chch on a hill & theres a yellow haze above the city in the morning after a cold night & there banning those,
there are ways around it, but its still not the same, be VERY careful when renting or buying, get some heaters & buy a dehumidifier
Dec 6th 2005, 5:09 am
#9
Banned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,467
Re: Housing/Heating/Insulation
Originally Posted by Apple12
We have full wall ceiling and floor insulation in our house in Christchurch. Why have you chosen to be in a house that isn't?
Dec 6th 2005, 5:29 am
#10
Account Closed
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 527
Re: Housing/Heating/Insulation
Originally Posted by sky
I smell a troll around here
Dec 6th 2005, 7:09 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Housing/Heating/Insulation
Apple12 I've just seen your comment about where you're from - Haverford West.
I lived in Pembroke for a few years - very similar to NZ in many, many ways but there are more welsh people here
I lived in Pembroke for a few years - very similar to NZ in many, many ways but there are more welsh people here
Dec 7th 2005, 5:27 am
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 203
Re: Housing/Heating/Insulation
NZers don't heat/isolate/double glaze their homes because they never have and therefore it doesn't occur to them. They think it is perfectly normal to live in a house with only the one room heated all winter while the bedrooms and bathrooms are 12 degrees. You can't cook decently because you can't see the food on the stove (too much steam rising because the air is so cold), the houses are soaking wet all the time with condensation, none of the windows close properly because of the water pouring down them all the time and, worse of all, NZers are obsessed with how they heat their homes--they talk about it all winter long. I visited last month, and every person I went to visit (six) immediately told me how they heated their homes. It was very funny, but sad.
I emigrated to NZ 15 years ago, and lived there for 12 years (Christchurch and Wellington). I would NEVER live in the country again--just the visit last month almost did me in. I froze the whole time and I couldn't believe I had lived like that for so long. You can say NZers are used to it, but I didn't see that--people were amazed and shocked that I used to jog in the winter, becaues of course 15 degrees is way too cold to go out in. They ARE cold, but just don't do anything about it. I am originally from Canada, and of course was used to very cold weather, and I just couldn't believe the complacency of the NZers who just put up with their tedious, wet, winter lifestyle.
I now live in Australia but in the tropics. I wouldn't live in southern Australia for the same reason--no heating in the houses and no insulation/double glazing. I am moving back to Canada soon and I can't wait--a decent, fun winter at last, with dry cold days, lots of snow, snug in my winter coat and boots, and then back home to a properly insulated house!!
I emigrated to NZ 15 years ago, and lived there for 12 years (Christchurch and Wellington). I would NEVER live in the country again--just the visit last month almost did me in. I froze the whole time and I couldn't believe I had lived like that for so long. You can say NZers are used to it, but I didn't see that--people were amazed and shocked that I used to jog in the winter, becaues of course 15 degrees is way too cold to go out in. They ARE cold, but just don't do anything about it. I am originally from Canada, and of course was used to very cold weather, and I just couldn't believe the complacency of the NZers who just put up with their tedious, wet, winter lifestyle.
I now live in Australia but in the tropics. I wouldn't live in southern Australia for the same reason--no heating in the houses and no insulation/double glazing. I am moving back to Canada soon and I can't wait--a decent, fun winter at last, with dry cold days, lots of snow, snug in my winter coat and boots, and then back home to a properly insulated house!!
Dec 7th 2005, 7:08 am
#13
Banned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,467
Re: Housing/Heating/Insulation
Originally Posted by ezvanetree
NZers don't heat/isolate/double glaze their homes because they never have and therefore it doesn't occur to them. They think it is perfectly normal to live in a house with only the one room heated all winter while the bedrooms and bathrooms are 12 degrees. You can't cook decently because you can't see the food on the stove (too much steam rising because the air is so cold), the houses are soaking wet all the time with condensation, none of the windows close properly because of the water pouring down them all the time and, worse of all, NZers are obsessed with how they heat their homes--they talk about it all winter long. I visited last month, and every person I went to visit (six) immediately told me how they heated their homes. It was very funny, but sad.
I emigrated to NZ 15 years ago, and lived there for 12 years (Christchurch and Wellington). I would NEVER live in the country again--just the visit last month almost did me in. I froze the whole time and I couldn't believe I had lived like that for so long. You can say NZers are used to it, but I didn't see that--people were amazed and shocked that I used to jog in the winter, becaues of course 15 degrees is way too cold to go out in. They ARE cold, but just don't do anything about it. I am originally from Canada, and of course was used to very cold weather, and I just couldn't believe the complacency of the NZers who just put up with their tedious, wet, winter lifestyle.
I now live in Australia but in the tropics. I wouldn't live in southern Australia for the same reason--no heating in the houses and no insulation/double glazing. I am moving back to Canada soon and I can't wait--a decent, fun winter at last, with dry cold days, lots of snow, snug in my winter coat and boots, and then back home to a properly insulated house!!
I emigrated to NZ 15 years ago, and lived there for 12 years (Christchurch and Wellington). I would NEVER live in the country again--just the visit last month almost did me in. I froze the whole time and I couldn't believe I had lived like that for so long. You can say NZers are used to it, but I didn't see that--people were amazed and shocked that I used to jog in the winter, becaues of course 15 degrees is way too cold to go out in. They ARE cold, but just don't do anything about it. I am originally from Canada, and of course was used to very cold weather, and I just couldn't believe the complacency of the NZers who just put up with their tedious, wet, winter lifestyle.
I now live in Australia but in the tropics. I wouldn't live in southern Australia for the same reason--no heating in the houses and no insulation/double glazing. I am moving back to Canada soon and I can't wait--a decent, fun winter at last, with dry cold days, lots of snow, snug in my winter coat and boots, and then back home to a properly insulated house!!
Dec 7th 2005, 8:50 am
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Housing/Heating/Insulation
"A decent fun winter" I know exactly what you mean by that.
Dec 7th 2005, 10:32 pm
#15
Member of Mumo-land
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: DownUnder
Posts: 771
Re: Housing/Heating/Insulation
Originally Posted by ezvanetree
NZers don't heat/isolate/double glaze their homes because they never have and therefore it doesn't occur to them. They think it is perfectly normal to live in a house with only the one room heated all winter while the bedrooms and bathrooms are 12 degrees. You can't cook decently because you can't see the food on the stove (too much steam rising because the air is so cold), the houses are soaking wet all the time with condensation, none of the windows close properly because of the water pouring down them all the time and, worse of all, NZers are obsessed with how they heat their homes--they talk about it all winter long. I visited last month, and every person I went to visit (six) immediately told me how they heated their homes. It was very funny, but sad.
I emigrated to NZ 15 years ago, and lived there for 12 years (Christchurch and Wellington). I would NEVER live in the country again--just the visit last month almost did me in. I froze the whole time and I couldn't believe I had lived like that for so long. You can say NZers are used to it, but I didn't see that--people were amazed and shocked that I used to jog in the winter, becaues of course 15 degrees is way too cold to go out in. They ARE cold, but just don't do anything about it. I am originally from Canada, and of course was used to very cold weather, and I just couldn't believe the complacency of the NZers who just put up with their tedious, wet, winter lifestyle.
I now live in Australia but in the tropics. I wouldn't live in southern Australia for the same reason--no heating in the houses and no insulation/double glazing. I am moving back to Canada soon and I can't wait--a decent, fun winter at last, with dry cold days, lots of snow, snug in my winter coat and boots, and then back home to a properly insulated house!!
I emigrated to NZ 15 years ago, and lived there for 12 years (Christchurch and Wellington). I would NEVER live in the country again--just the visit last month almost did me in. I froze the whole time and I couldn't believe I had lived like that for so long. You can say NZers are used to it, but I didn't see that--people were amazed and shocked that I used to jog in the winter, becaues of course 15 degrees is way too cold to go out in. They ARE cold, but just don't do anything about it. I am originally from Canada, and of course was used to very cold weather, and I just couldn't believe the complacency of the NZers who just put up with their tedious, wet, winter lifestyle.
I now live in Australia but in the tropics. I wouldn't live in southern Australia for the same reason--no heating in the houses and no insulation/double glazing. I am moving back to Canada soon and I can't wait--a decent, fun winter at last, with dry cold days, lots of snow, snug in my winter coat and boots, and then back home to a properly insulated house!!
See you posted that and you don't still live here so you have no need to say it's strange here in that respect.